Following a successful first edition in April 2020, the second edition will be a world first in cycling. The Digital Swiss 5 will be staged as a hybrid digital cycling event in the Saalsporthalle Zurich and simultaneously around the world.
The Tour de Suisse is proud to present Primeo Energie as its new Main Sponsor.
Digital Cycling during COVID-19 Pandemic
With the limited availability of live sport due to global COVID-19 lockdowns, The Digital Swiss 5 brought the world of sport back to life. And it will not only be the exciting duel between Australian Michael Matthews and local hero Stefan Küng on the route to Langnau that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Joko Vogel, co-CEO of Cycling Unlimited, remembers: “The teams, the riders, the sponsors and of course the fans, were craving live sport. With the newly created format of a digital race series, we were able to provide all parties with an ideal platform giving 700 million (!) fans worldwide the opportunity to see cycling at the highest level, either online or on TV”.
World Premiere
The second edition of the eSports or digital cycling event “The Digital Swiss 5” is the world’s first hybrid cycling event.
From 19-21 November 2021, the athletes will compete in front of cheering spectators, animated by a DJ and live commentary in the Saalsporthalle Zurich.
Switzerland’s own newly crowned European time trial champion Marlen Reusser, as well as Giro stage winner Mauro Schmid are amongst the athletes taking part.
Naturally the starting field is also studded with international athletes. In addition to the UCI eSports World Champion Jason Osborne and Austrian Hermann Pernsteiner (Top 10 Giro 2021), a selection of the international triathlon elite as well as MTB athletes will race against the male and female cycling Pros.
A limited number of amateur cyclists will also get the chance to pedal alongside their idols. It is guaranteed to be a once in a lifetime experience for them.
Route design and ROUVY platform
Digital cycling makes it possible to watch cycling races in the heart of Lucerne, Lugano, Lausanne, Basel and Zurich in November. The five scenic city routes lead for several laps through the city centres and take about one hour. The event will be streamed nationally by SRF online and internationally by various platforms, such as velon.cc and their associated Youtube and Facebook channels.
Digital Swiss 5 offers a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of Switzerland to the world.
The professionals will compete on the digital cycling platform ROUVY, which has made significant progress in recent months to make the virtual cycling experience even more authentic. For example, it is now possible to benefit from the slipstream of the digital rider ahead providing an even more realistic riding experience.
“In cycling we are linking the traditional with the modern. As it does everywhere else, digitalisation continues to develop in the world of cycling. We are very pleased to play an important role as an innovator in this process”, says Joko Vogel
Fan Race
The city races will also take place digitally parallel to the races in Zurich, with a global starting field. Held exclusively on the ROUVY platform, thousands of participants are expected.
Primeo Energie joins the Tour de Suisse as Main Sponsor
The Tour de Suisse is delighted to present the new Main Sponsor of the national tour.
In Primeo Energie, the leading energy supply company from Münchenstein (BL), Cycling Unlimited has secured an innovative and cycling enthusiastic Main Sponsor for the Tour de Suisse.
Primeo Energie makes homes smarter, mobility more sustainable and motivates people to use energy more efficiently. The company develops energy solutions for private and business customers, energy supply companies, cities and municipalities.
“Primeo Energie aims to consolidate its position as a leading energy supplier with its products and services in the electricity sector, such as renewable energy, thermal energy, photovoltaics, ZEV, e-mobility and public lighting. To this end we want to build up and expand awareness of our company and all that we do in Switzerland and, as Main Sponsors of the Tour de Suisse, we can appeal to a broad audience while at the same time remaining close to the people,” explains Conrad Ammann, CEO of Primeo Energie.
Tried and tested Partnership
What better way to do this than through road cycling, a sport which is closer to its audience than any other.
Primeo Energie has been on board as a partner of the Tour de Suisse since 2018, most recently as sponsor of the special “Best Young Professional” classification.
The energy professionals from Baselland have made a commitment as the Main Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse for 2022 to 2024, with an option to extend.
“We are excited and grateful to have found a new Main Sponsor for the Tour de Suisse men’s and women’s races in Primeo Energie, particularly in current times, which have been challenging in the event industry. Over the last 4 years of working together, we have been able to identify many common values, including the importance of sustainable development, both in terms of energy and the Tour de Suisse. We are very much looking forward to planning and implementing new ideas and projects together”, says Olivier Senn, Co-CEO of Cycling Unlimited AG and Director of the Tour de Suisse.
Common Goals
Joachim Krebs, Head Corporate Communications Primeo Energie, adds: “With its characteristics of vitality, endurance, flexibility, innovation and digitalisation, cycling is a perfect fit for our company. The popularity of sport and recreational cycling among women and men of all ages is growing steadily – including amateur and professional sports. It is particularly pleasing to see women’s cycling gaining significant support and fans.
As the Main Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse, as well as other cycling sporting events, we are committed to excellence.”
Together we look forward to exciting and innovative cycling spectacles.
For queries:
Media Office The Digital Swiss 5 and Tour de Suisse
Ueli Anken
+41 79 638 18 18
